First established in the late 18th century by Abbot Henri Grégoire as a conservatory designed to highlight innovation and industrial development, the Museum of Arts and Crafts opened as a public museum in 1802. This often Parisian institution overlooked but fascinating, it will bring back any visitor who has interests in the history of science, engineering, technological development, or inventions. The museum, which has undergone intensive renovations in recent years, traces the history of important inventions and technological developments from ancient times to the present day.
More than 80,000 objects and artifacts and some 20,000 technical drawings make up the permanent collection, divided into seven main thematic areas: industrial materials, construction, communication, scientific instruments, mechanics, energy and transportation.
Some highlights in Arts et Metiers include the first model for an airplane by the little-known but important inventor Clément Ader, Blaise Pascal’s first calculator, or the Lumiere brothers’ first stab at a movie camera. Housed in a beautiful 11th-century church, La collégiale Saint-Martin-des-Champs, the museum also houses the famous “Foucault’s Pendulum”, which has received special attention since the publication of the homonymous novel by Italian novelist Umberto Eco. This little appreciated gem as a stopover to or from the attractions in the city center – it is conveniently located and highly recommended (I myself have come several times to admire the collections and marvel at the inventions).
Location and contact information:
The museum is located in the central district of Paris (3rd arrondissement), close to attractions and areas such as the Center Georges Pompidou and the Marais district.
Dirección:
60 Reaumur Street
Metro: Arts et Metiers o Reaumur-Sebastopol
Phone: +33 (0) 1 53 01 82 00
Visit the official website (information is only available in English)
Opening hours and tickets:
The museum is open Tuesday through Sunday from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm (open until 9:30 pm on Thursday nights). Thursday night at 9:30 pm. Closed on Mondays. Open on most French holidays except May 1 and December 25 (Christmas Day).
Tickets: See here for current information and admission prices for the museum.
The Paris Museum Pass covers the entrance to this museum. (Direct purchase from Rail Europe)
Nearby sights and attractions:
- Center Georges Pompidou
- Musee Picasso (closed for renovations until spring 2013)
- The Marais district
- Canal Saint-Martin District
- Musée Carnavalet (Museum of the History of Paris)
Highlights of the Permanent Collection:
The permanent collection at the Musee des Arts et Metiers is divided into seven main areas, as mentioned above. Each section takes you through a chronological exploration of how each area of technology evolved through hundreds of years of trial, error, and innovation.
Scientific instruments
In this section of the museum, you will learn about the history of scientific instruments, from 1750 to the present. From the abacus to the sundial, from the early microscope to rudimentary multiplication machines, this section shows the evolution over hundreds of years of instruments that today have grown exponentially in sophistication and precision.
Materials
This section highlights the development of materials and industrial machinery, from glass to silk, textiles, iron or steel. The development of hydraulics and steam are a watershed moment in industrial manufacturing, leading to the explosion of trade and the exchange of goods on a new scale in the Industrial Revolution. The development of new materials, such as plastic and aluminum, leads to increasingly sophisticated techniques and unprecedented options for manufacturers.
Building
This one is for anyone interested in the history of architecture – learn how techniques for erecting buildings and other structures have evolved over centuries. Mechanization changes construction forever beginning with the Industrial Revolution, leading not only to faster construction, but also to incredibly imagined new materials and futuristic structures.
Communication
In this fascinating section, the history of communications is highlighted, from the telephone to the telegraph to radio. The visit begins with a close look at one of the first printing presses, dating back to the 15th century.
Energy
From hydraulic windmills to steam, electricity or nuclear energy, this section offers a point-in-time view of the evolution of energy sources and technologies.
Mechanics
Take a closer look at the development of machinery in this section, noting how machines were initially developed for only a select number of activities and industries, before being adopted in virtually every domain of human activity beginning in the 19th century, when it exploded. mechanization.
Transport
This is one of the most popular sections of the museum, featuring models for some of the first imagined airplanes, vintage cars, wheels, train cars, and other artifacts that showcase the exciting development of transportation methods over the centuries.
Temporary exhibitions
Temporary exhibitions at the museum tend to focus on a historical area or period of technological development, highlighting specific artifacts in the museum’s permanent collection or bringing in objects from other museum collections. Recent temporary exhibitions included a look at the history of robotics and the invention of the radio. See this page for more information.
I like this?
Especially if you have children, consider visiting the ultra-modern Cité des Sciences et de l’Industrie, a contemporary science and industry museum located in the northeast corner of the city.
